The term adjuvant radiotherapy refers to radiotherapy given when all visible signs of the cancer have been removed through surgery. For instance, in breast cancer surgery may completely remove a tumour from the breast, but radiotherapy be given afterwards to reduce the likelihood of the cancer recurring. Adjuvant radiotherapy is common where a breast tumour has been removed using a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy, and this may be given after or even during the surgery.

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